Imagine being able to assess the careers of researchers from more than 40 countries with hard data, rather than anecdotal observations? The OECD Global Researcher Career Database (also referred to as the Research and Innovation Careers Observatory) is currently in beta phase and will soon allow you to do just that. The academic job market is under intense pressure, and now there is a platform that radically increases transparency into how country treats their researchers. Whether you are a policymaker, academic leader, PhD student, or a research funder, this dataset makes the study of science careers into a new venture.
What Is the OECD Global Researcher Career Database?
The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) has recently launched a beta version of a platform called the Research and Innovation Careers Observatory to collect data in order to improve evidence about the employment conditions, career routes, and systemic issues related to researchers across the globe.
According to the OECD, the platform aims to go “much beyond comparing salaries” and focuses on how different systems treat their scientists. The initiative is led by Dominique Guellec, Head of the OECD Science and Technology Policy Division.
This database will combine international data about researcher careers across sectors (universities, government, private R&D), ranks, disciplines, and contract types and will look to enable better policy- and decision-making through rigorous cross-national comparisons.
Why the OECD Global Researcher Career Database Matters More Than Ever
Early on in their careers researchers in the U.S. and Canada are increasingly concerned about job precarity, reduced tenure track positions, and declining success rates for grants. But how do these issues compare internationally?
The OECD platform provides context as, for example, while in countries like Portugal or Slovenia the proportion of researchers on temporary contracts is over 70%, Germany and the Netherlands show more stable institutional employment. This sort of comparative analysis is useful in shaping policy responses that are situated in a global context.
Moreover, the data supports high-stakes decisions on:
- Researcher mobility and brain drain
- Gender equality in science
- R&D investment priorities
- Long-term talent retention
Key Features of the OECD Global Researcher Career Database and Observatory
1. Cross-country Comparisons
Explore differences in research systems across OECD member and partner countries. The tool supports both horizontal (country-to-country) and vertical (career-stage-to-career-stage) analyses.
2. Sectoral Data Coverage
Unlike many national databases, this platform includes data from public, private, and academic sectors – making it valuable for industry stakeholders as well.
3. Gender and Equity Insights
The database enables users to assess gender differences by country, stage of career, and field. For instance, Mexico and Latvia are among the highest shares of female researchers, while the U.S. still remains a high gender gap for senior positions in STEM.
4. Research Topics and Domains
The database is associated with the broader OECD Topics library, and can be cross-referenced with areas such as Education, Health, or Green Innovation, allowing unique cross disciplinary knowledge. To learn more about the different global priorities of the OECD, check out the OECD Topics site for information on, amongst many others, inequality, climate change, the gender gap, immigrant integration, etc. Some of the examples include: agriculture, fisheries, health, economy, nuclear, trade, and industry.
5. Global Country Coverage
The platform connects directly to the OECD Countries portal, showcasing how the member and partner countries collaborate internationally to tackle today’s most pressing research and innovation challenges.
6. Integrated Publications and Reports
Through the OECD Publications hub, users can access featured studies, policy papers, working papers, and upcoming research that connect directly with findings in the researcher database.
7. Data and Analytical Tools
The database includes access to the full OECD Data Portal, with indicators, dashboards, datasets, insights, and methods for anyone needing deep analytical functionality.
8. News and Events Updates
The OECD also offers ongoing coverage of updates via its News and Events section, where you can follow developments related to research careers, innovation policy, and global collaboration efforts.
Real-World Use Cases of the OECD Global Researcher Career Database
- A Canadian science ministry uses the data to evaluate how gender equity policies compare to Nordic countries.
- A U.S. university provost benchmarks tenure trends to better justify permanent hires.
- A private biotech firm compares talent pipelines across OECD economies before opening a new R&D center.
These examples show that the platform is not just for theorists or bureaucrats – it informs decisions with direct implications for real institutions.
How to Access and Use the OECD Global Researcher Career Database
You can explore the OECD Global Researcher Career Database through the Research and Innovation Careers Observatory, currently available in beta version on the official OECD website, where you’ll find detailed insights, datasets, and international comparisons of researcher careers.
From this page, you can:
- Browse thematic areas (career paths, contracts, mobility, etc.)
- Filter by country or topic
- Download datasets in Excel or CSV format
- Access reports and policy briefs
Why This Matters to North American Readers
For researchers in the U.S. and Canada, this platform offers something rare: a mirror. It places local frustrations in a global context. Are tenure-track lines shrinking everywhere? Is it normal that only 30% of postdocs transition to permanent roles? How are other countries adapting to similar pressures?
With clear data, the database can:
- Help young researchers make informed career decisions
- Guide institutions toward more equitable hiring practices
- Support public debates about the future of science policy
Strengths and Limitations of the OECD Global Researcher Career Database
âś… Strengths:
- High data integrity and transparency
- Policy-relevant design
- Cross-sectoral scope
- Open access and free use
⚠️ Limitations:
- Some non-OECD countries are underrepresented
- Data collection cycles are not always synchronized
- Not all metrics (e.g., satisfaction, burnout) are yet included
- The platform is currently in beta phase, with full functionality expected to roll out gradually
These limitations are openly acknowledged by the OECD itself, and improvements are underway, including planned integrations with UNESCO and national R&D agencies.
Conclusion
The OECD Global Researcher Career Database is a landmark resource for understanding the shifting dynamics of scientific work. It helps bridge the gap between research policy and real human experience. In an era where facts are often eclipsed by narrative, this tool gives us something rare: a shared evidence base.
Whether you’re a policymaker, a university leader, or a doctoral student questioning your next step – this is a resource worth knowing.
Explore more resources like this in our curated science databases collection.
Sources
- OECD Research and Innovation Careers Observatory: https://www.oecd.org/en/networks/research-and-innovation-careers-observatory.html
- OECD Topics: https://www.oecd.org/en/topics.html
- OECD Countries Portal: https://www.oecd.org/en/countries.html
- OECD Publications: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications.html
- OECD Data Portal: https://www.oecd.org/en/data.html
- OECD News and Events: https://www.oecd.org/en/news-events.html
- OECD About: https://www.oecd.org/en/about.html
- Science.org article on the database launch: https://www.science.org/content/article/how-do-research-careers-compare-across-countries-new-global-database-has-some-answers
